Nathan Horton is as good as gone from the Panthers if you are one to read into rumours. The Panthers would love to add a dynamic top-four defenseman like Burns, and Horton would bring size and skill to a very underwhelming forward group in Minnesota. Both players have teased us with some flashes of brilliance (Burns in particular with a monster 2007-08 season). Perhaps a fresh start will be exactly what the doctor ordered for both.

Fantasy Impact?

Burns needs to get back on track after a few injury-plagued seasons. He has 45-50 point upside provided he sees enough power play time. In Florida, he would become the best offensive defenseman, while in Minnesota he has to compete with Cam Barker and Marek Zidlicky for ice time. Minnesota isn’t blessed with a wealth of offensive talent, but Horton could still see a spike in production because of the scenery change alone. He has the size and skill to be a star, but so far in his career he hasn’t shown enough intensity or battle on a consistent basis to get there.

To Columbus: Jason Spezza, Brian Lee

To Ottawa: 4th overall pick, Cody Goloubef, Derrick Brassard

Why?

Columbus has cap space and a clear need for a top line center. Jason Spezza is unhappy in Ottawa and would probably welcome playing in a less hockey-crazed market. Brassard has the upside to one day replace Spezza on Ottawa’s top line, and he is still on his entry level contract. The Blue Jackets probably wouldn’t move both Brassard and their 2010 first round pick in a trade for Spezza, but in my estimation they could get away with doing it if they really wanted to. Goloubef is a solid prospect and would add to Ottawa’s defensive depth on the farm.

Fantasy Impact?

Rick Nash owners would rejoice. With Spezza, Nash’s upside jumps up 10-15 points. Spezza would remain a 75-85 point player with the upside for (a lot) more, health permitting. Brassard would see lots of offensive minutes in Ottawa, and would probably skate on a line with the likes of Daniel Alfredsson and Milan Michalek.

To Toronto: David Clarkson and Matt Halischuk

To New Jersey: Tomas Kaberle

Why?

The New Jersey Devils have a glaring need for a puck moving defenseman. They traded away Johnny Oduya at the trade deadline, and all signs point to Paul Martin leaving as a free agent in a couple of weeks. Toronto is very thin up front, and Clarkson would bring 20+ goal potential in addition to a wealth of grit, belligerence, and truculence. Halischuk is not going to be a star at the NHL level but he should be a serviceable player for a long time. Toronto fans may read this and be disappointed with the return, but without an extension Kaberle’s trade value isn’t as high as many believe it to be. Leaf fans would fall in love with Clarkson after a shift or two.

Fantasy Impact?

In New Jersey, Kaberle would play with the likes of Zach Parise, Travis Zajac, and Patrik Elias on the top power play unit. A return to the 60 point mark would be a very reasonable projection for him. Clarkson would probably slide in on the second line in Toronto, while Halischuk would compete for a spot on one of the bottom two lines in training camp.

To Montreal: Ryane Clowe, Douglas Murray

To San Jose: Carey Price, Roman Hamrlik

Why?

San Jose gets a young goalie to build around. They also get a strong veteran presence to help replace the void left by Rob Blake on the back end. Montreal dumps Hamrlik’s contract and they add a solid top six winger in Clowe and a very steady defensive presence in Murray. Clowe would be great alongside Mike Cammalleri and Tomas Plekanec – in addition to being large and physical, he has more skill than given credit for.

Fantasy Impact?

Price would immediately become one of the best goalies to own in any league format on the Sharks. He hasn’t shown the ability to be a starting goalie over the course of a full season, but to be fair he has never been given that kind of opportunity yet. Clowe’s value wouldn’t change all that much in Montreal.

Flo The Action

Text SizeOilers general manager Steve Tambellini says teams continue to call, inquiring about what it might take to convince Edmonton to trade the first overall pick in next week's NHL Entry Draft.

Tambellini's response remains the same; he says he's not sure what it would take to move such a valuable asset, but he's willing to listen and consider all offers.

Change is imminent in Florida, as Dale Tallon prepares to rebuild the Panthers and won't be afraid to tear about his existing roster.

Young forwards Nathan Horton and Stephen Weiss are among those available. In fact, sources say star forward David Booth, 20-year-old defenceman Dmitry Kulikov, and prospect goaltender Jacob Markstrom are considered to be Florida's only untouchable players.

Tallon is likely to be among the most active GM's on the trade front next week, and with his past history with the Chicago Blackhawks and the 'Hawks pressing salary cap issues, some believe Florida will be ready and waiting, if Chicago offers Kris Versteeg, or another valued forward to create some relief.

Pre-draft trade speculation isn't complete without an update on Maple Leafs defenceman Tomas Kaberle and his future in Toronto.

Although teams continue to call, most are reluctant to table an offer before Kaberle's no-trade lifts at the draft, in fear Toronto will shop the proposal for a better offer.

As many as eight teams are expected to engage with Toronto, however, at the moment; teams are still trying to piece together what, or who, is legitimately available.

PTFlea

Don't think you could get both personally. But maybe if they did that big Foligo, Spezza, 16th overall, Lee for Weiss/Horton, Ballard and the 3rd overall. Not sure how excited Florida would be about that.

Guest

Guest

SpezDispenser wrote:

N4L wrote:If you can get Horton and Weiss for Spezza you do it.

Don't think you could get both personally. But maybe if they did that big Foligo, Spezza, 16th overall, Lee for Weiss/Horton, Ballard and the 3rd overall. Not sure how excited Florida would be about that.

Who knows, but I think Tallon is in over his head with the amount of guys that want out down in Florida. They need to start over again. Im not banking on it happening to be honest because it doesnt make sense from Florida's POV. Why would they take on Spezza?

You might be able to get Horton for Foligno, Lee, and a prospect perhaps though.

Flo The Action

well then weiss and the 3rd, etc... you end up with a: carter weiss michalek/regin line... that's not bad at all. IMO carter is 35-40 goal guy. we could use him in a big way. plus he's RFA after next year so we could have him for a while...

Flo The Action

Draft Day Trades - Part II Written by Jeff Angus Tuesday, 15 June 2010 21:43

“We have a trade to announce...” are the only words any hockey fan ever wishes to hear out of Gary Bettman’s mouth. There may be no more exciting off-ice situation in the NHL than the draft day trade announcement. There is no shortage of star players available at the draft this year – Mike Ribeiro, Tomas Kaberle, and Sheldon Souray to name a few. There are several premier soon-to-be-free agents whose rights may be up for grabs as well – Ilya Kovalchuk, Anton Volchenkov, Dan Hamhuis, Patrick Marleau, Paul Martin... the list goes on.

I asked the DobberHockey community to share their trade ideas a few days ago (check the topic out here). I borrowed a few of the ideas shared there and added them to some of my own.

To Pittsburgh: The rights to Ray Whitney

To Carolina: 2010 4th round draft pick

Why?

It is obvious that Whitney won’t be returning to Carolina, where a significant youth movement is underway. Pittsburgh is extremely desperate for skilled wingers, and ‘The Wizard’ fits perfectly (on paper, of course) with Sidney Crosby on Pittsburgh’s top line. Crosby has never had a winger able to keep up with his skill level. Whitney has lost a step or two in terms of skating, but he is extremely crafty, slick, and offensively-aware.

Fantasy impact:

Whitney is 38, so expecting him to best his previous career high in points (83 in 2006-07) would be extremely optimistic. He had 58 points last season, after posting 77 in 2008-09. Pittsburgh’s highest scoring winger in 2009-10 was Bill Guerin, who had 45 points. A return to 70 points could be in the cards for Whitney if he finds himself a Penguin in 2010-11.

Boston desperately wants Taylor Hall. Edmonton is indifferent between Hall and Tyler Seguin. Boston trades a very valuable asset to move up, and they also take on one of Edmonton’s bad contracts. The Oilers add a versatile depth defenseman who has the potential to chip in with 30-35 points.

Fantasy impact:

Seguin’s short term upside is much higher if he is drafted by Edmonton as opposed to the Bruins. Instead of competing for a spot with the likes of Marc Savard, Patrice Bergeron, and David Krejci, he only has to contend with Shawn Horcoff and Sam Gagner. I personally don’t see the Oilers trading the pick unless Boston knocks their socks off, and this deal would do just that.

To Tampa Bay: Kris Versteeg

To Chicago: 2010 2nd round draft pick

Why?

Chicago needs to shed a lot of cap space. Versteeg is a very solid second line winger, but he is expendable. Tampa Bay needs to add talent at all positions. Versteeg is a very smart player who would fit in well with either Vincent Lecavalier or Steven Stamkos.

Fantasy impact:

Versteeg had 44 points for the Blackhawks in 2009-10. He averaged just over 15 minutes per game. If he were to be traded to the Lightning, a bump up to 16 or 17 minutes per game would be in order. I could see him hitting 65+ points in the right situation. The key with players like him (offensively talented players who love to make plays) is confidence, which directly correlates to ice time.

Philadelphia needs a goalie, and with the emergence of Claude Giroux at center (as well as the re-emergence of Danny Briere), they now have the luxury of being able to offer a stud forward like Carter. The Panthers could ice a tandem of Jacob Markstrom and Scott Clemmensen next year.

Fantasy impact:

Carter’s value would probably remain the same. In Florida, he would immediately become the go-to guy from an offensive standpoint, but the quality of his linemates would decrease. Vokoun would go from an offensively inept team to one capable of scoring at will. Matthias is a better prospect than given credit for, and he would find a spot somewhere in Philadelphia’s forward group for 2010-11. Flyer fans would probably rather keep Carter and sign a veteran like Nabokov or Turco for a reduced rate, but Vokoun is an elite goalie who has never really received the credit or attention he has deserved (playing in Nashville and Florida probably has a lot to do with that).

To Tampa Bay: John-Michael Liles

To Colorado: Ryan Malone

Why?

Liles has never seen eye-to-eye with Colorado head coach Joe Sacco, and the Lightning would love to dump Ryan Malone’s contract from their books ($4.5 million cap hit per season for five more years, although because the deal was frontloaded he is only making $3.9 million per season on average). Malone would add size and a legitimate net presence to Colorado’s offensive attack.

Fantasy impact:

This trade would benefit all parties. The Lightning would add a viable power play quarter back. They had Kurtis Foster last year, but he is a free agent and may seek more money elsewhere. Even if they do bring him back, he is more of a shooter, as opposed to Liles who loves to rush the puck up the ice and make plays. Malone can play anywhere up front, and would look great opposite Chris Stewart on a line centered by Paul Stastny.

To Vancouver: Barret Jackman, Jay McClement

To St. Louis: Kevin Bieksa, Steve Bernier

Why?

Steve Bernier has regressed offensively since being acquired by the Canucks in the summer of 2008. Kevin Bieksa has been plagued by injuries and inconsistent play. Perhaps there is no better example than his series against Chicago. Largely invisible through the first four games, he had an all-world game five, scoring twice and making lots of great reads defensively. However, he was a disaster only two nights later, directly responsible for two goals as the Canucks got eliminated by the Blackhawks for the second consecutive season. Jackman brings toughness and is a BC boy, while McClement is one of the best defensive centers in the game. He was the key cog on the league’s best penalty kill in 2009-10.

Fantasy impact:

When he is on, Bieksa is a solid power play defenseman. Like Erik Johnson, he shoots right, so they probably wouldn’t be paired together on the top unit. Bernier could see more ice time than he currently does in Vancouver, as the Blues have a wealth of young talent at center but aren’t as deep on the right side.

Riprock

Marc Savard to CLB?Sources Say there is a possible trade in the works, with the Boston Bruins dealing Blake Wheeler and Marc Savard to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for the 4th overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. It's likely that the Bruins would also include their 15th overall pick in the deal as well, leaving Boston with both the 2nd and 4th pick in the first round.

Ev

Dash wrote:Marc Savard to CLB?Sources Say there is a possible trade in the works, with the Boston Bruins dealing Blake Wheeler and Marc Savard to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for the 4th overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. It's likely that the Bruins would also include their 15th overall pick in the deal as well, leaving Boston with both the 2nd and 4th pick in the first round.